Opera Australia has announced that Australian musical theatre royalty, celebrated soprano Amy Manford has been cast as Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera when it returns for a much anticipated, limited season at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour from 27 March to 3 May, 2026.
Amy has attracted global recognition for her portrayal of The Phantom’s protégé, playing the role to critical acclaim in both the recent Australian in-theatre tour and the West End production in London.
Amy will be joined by newcomer Jake Lyle who will slip on the world’s most famous mask for the role of The Phantom, making his musical theatre debut as one of the industry’s most iconic characters. The 22-year-old from Gladstone, Queensland is still studying Classical Voice at Queensland Conservatorium and is currently an Emerging Artist in Residence at Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Rising Australian musical theatre star Jarrod Draper will complete the trio of leads as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. Born in Orange, New South Wales, and a proud Wiradjuri man, Draper has made waves in Australia since he became the first Indigenous man to graduate from WAAPA’s prestigious Musical Theatre program, and has performed in Moulin Rouge, Sunset Boulevard and most recently as Munkustrap in Cats.
Music Supervisor Guy Simpson said, “Everyone loves to say they’ve ‘discovered’ someone, but during the auditions for the Ensemble, a young singer named Jake Lyle caught our attention. The next few days became a rollercoaster for Jake as we directed him through most of The Phantom’s material, all the while confident we had found our man. I think Jake has a stellar future and we will all remember his Opera Australia debut for a long time to come.
“I’m really thrilled with all three outstanding talents we’ve selected for the 2026 season. It’s a great pleasure to work with Amy Manford again, she is one of the world’s best as Christine, as well as Jarrod Draper as Raoul, whose work in Sunset Boulevard impressed me greatly,” Simpson said.
This production will mark the debut at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour for all three singers, who will undertake the epic task of performing on Australia’s largest outdoor stage floating above Sydney Harbour.
Directed by Australia’s master of musical theatre, Simon Phillips, with stunning elaborate costumes and set design by Gabriela Tylesova, and dynamic choreography by Associate Director Simone Sault, this harbour setting elevates Phantom to extraordinary new heights.
With unmatched views of the iconic Sydney Opera House, a full live orchestra, nightly fireworks, and vibrant pop-up restaurants and bars, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour offers one of the world’s most unique theatrical experiences. Experience Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical The Phantom of the Opera in a breathtaking grand-scale production unlike any other.
Book now at opera.org.au/harbour
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